Meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris, Sp. Pl.: 554 (1753))

Family: Ranunculaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 554 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Ranunculus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Greenland, Europe to Russian Far East, Aleutian Is.

Description

Meadow buttercup, scientifically known as Ranunculus acris, is a perennial herbaceous plant famed for its vibrant yellow flowers. This striking plant was first described in the seminal work Species Plantarum on page 554, published in 1753 by the notable botanist Carl Linnaeus.

Belonging to the family Ranunculaceae, meadow buttercup is widely distributed across various regions, thriving in diverse climates. Its natural habitat spans from the lush meadows of Greenland to the temperate grasslands of Europe, stretching eastward to Russia’s Far East and even encompassing the Aleutian Islands in Alaska.

The plant is distinguished by its tall stature, sometimes reaching up to 120 centimeters in height. Its leaves are deeply lobed, giving them a textured appearance, and are often a vivid green. The flowers, which typically bloom from late spring to early autumn, are composed of five to seven lustrous petals that form a cup-like structure, characteristic of the buttercup family.

Meadow buttercup flourishes in moist, well-drained soils and is commonly found in meadows, pastures, and along roadside verges. It is a hardy species, able to withstand a range of environmental conditions, which contributes to its widespread presence.

Aside from its visual appeal, meadow buttercup plays a role in its ecosystems, providing nectar and pollen for various insects, including bees and butterflies. Despite its beauty, the plant is known to be toxic to livestock if ingested in large quantities, which is a critical consideration for farmers and land managers.

In addition to its ecological significance, Ranunculus acris has been a subject of botanical studies and horticultural interest, offering insights into plant adaptation and resilience.

In conclusion, the meadow buttercup is a widely recognizable plant with a rich botanical history and a significant presence in diverse habitats across the northern hemisphere. Its bright yellow flowers continue to add splashes of color to landscapes, embodying the intricate beauty and complexity of the natural world.

Common Names

Dan: bidende ranunkel
Eng: meadow buttercup, tall buttercup, common buttercup, tall crowfoot, tall field buttercup
Deu: scharfer hahnenfuss, scharfer hahnenfuß
Nob: bakkesoleie
Nno: bakkesoleie
Fra: bouton d’or, renoncule âcre
Nor: eng-soløje, hane-foot, hvit-soløje, smørblomster, soløje, vold-soløje
Swe: niittyleinikki, smörblomma, vanlig smörblomma, solöga
Fin: niittyleinikki
Nld: scherpe boterbloem
Sme: fiskesrássi, niitomieđas
Cym: blodau ymenyn, blodyn ymenyn, crafanc ysol, crafanc-y-frân boethus y gweunydd, crafanc-y-frân syth-boeth, crafanc-y-frân syth-boeth y gweunydd, crafanc-y-frân syth-boethus y gweunydd, egyllt, egyllt y frân syth-boethus y gweunydd, egyllt y gweunydd
En: Meadow buttercup, Tall buttercup, King-cup, Meadow crowfoot, Common buttercup, Giant buttercup, Tall crowfoot, Tall field buttercup, Crowfoot, Meadowbloom, Showy Buttercup
Ar: حوذان حريف
Hy: Կծու գորտնուկ
Be: Казялец едкі
Bg: Обикновено лютиче
Ca: Ranuncle acre
Zh: 深山金鳳花
Kw: Paw bran pras
Hr: Žabnjak ljutić
Cs: Pryskyřník prudký
Da: Bidende Ranunkel
Nl: Scherpe boterbloem
Eo: Akra ranunkolo
Et: Kibe tulikas
Fi: Niittyleinikki
Fr: Renoncule âcre, Bouton d’or, Renoncule acre, Bassinet, Bouton-d’or, Fleur de beurre, Pied-de-coq
De: Scharfer Hahnenfuss, Scharfer Hahnenfuß, Butterblume
Hu: Réti boglárka
Is: Brennisóley
Ga: Fearbán féir
It: Pie di gallina, Pie di nibbio (= pe’ d’nibi), Ranuncolo comune, Ranunculus acer, Pié-di-gallina, Pié-di-nibbio
Kk: Шытыр
Lv: Kodīgā gundega
Li: Góldbloom
Lt: Aitrusis vėdrynas
Mk: Полско лутиче
Se: Fiskesrássi, Niitomieđas
No: Engsoleia, Engsoleie, Smørblomst, Eng-soløje, Hane-foot, Hvit-soløje, Smørblomster, Soløje, Vold-soløje
Nb: Bakkesoleie
Nn: Bakkesoleie
Fa: رنانکولوس اکریس
Pl: Jaskier ostry, Ranunculus acer
Qu: K’ita waranqaysu, Kita waranqaysu
Ru: Куриная слепота, Лютик едкий
Gd: Buidheag an t-Samhraidh
Sr: Жабњак љутић
Sk: Iskerník prudký
Es: Botón de oro., Botón de oro común, Botón de oro, Hierba bellida, Liras, Mayas, Pata de gallina, Patagallina, Patayoba de la pradera, Ranúnculo acre, Yerba de los chapazales
Sv: Vanlig smörblomma, Gullskål, Majblomster, Ranunculus acer, Smörblomma, Solmöja, Solöga, Niittyleinikki
Uk: Жовтець їдкий
Cy: Blodyn menyn, Blodyn ymenyn, Blodau Ymenyn, Crafanc Ysol, Crafanc-y-Frân Boethus y Gweunydd, Crafanc-y-Frân Syth-Boeth, Crafanc-y-Frân Syth-Boeth y Gweunydd, Crafanc-y-Frân Syth-Boethus y Gweunydd, Egyllt, Egyllt y Frân Syth-Boethus y Gweunydd, Egyllt y Gweunydd

Synonyms

• Ranunculastrum acre ((L.) Fourr.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Aleutian Is. (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Chita (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Alaska (introduced)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Bermuda (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Labrador (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• North Dakota (introduced)
• Northwest Territorie (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Sardegna (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• South Georgia (introduced)
• Svalbard (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 21, 2017 by Louis Buchalet (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2020 by Sarah328 (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2017 by francois tissot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2017 by César Gonzalez (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 23, 2021 by Sabin Poenariu (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 6, 2020 by furs (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 23, 2020 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2019 by marie claude claereboudt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2017 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2017 by francis heinrich (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2017 by francois tissot (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 11, 2022 by Maelys Cadorel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 10, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 2, 2022 by Martine van wolfswinkel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 3, 2018 by Wolfgang Jauch (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 23, 2021 by yisus (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2015 by Tela Botanica − . TINTIN88 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2021 by DoKToR (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 10, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 15, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2019 by Cindy Amégah (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2022 by simone barattieri (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2022 by Petr Harant (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 11, 2021 by FREDERIC FAURE (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:712125-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3033363)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ranunculus acris L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 6